Chapter 270: American Iaido and Sylveon

I acquired many methods for manufacturing special machines in Unova, but there was no suitable place to produce them!

Fortunately, Lei Wen Gym is a place densely filled with all kinds of mechanisms and machines!

Although most of the facilities are meant for entertainment, it’s precisely because they’re used for entertainment that they require even more precise technology.

“Oh my, a top model invited you to dinner—normally you’d talk more about art to be a proper gentleman, yet you’ve become obsessed with machine manufacturing? Still, I quite like that about you.”

Electric-type Gym Leaders all have some innate talent for machine modification: Ma Zhishi of Kuye Gym hides switches in trash bins, Tie Xuan completely rebuilt an entire city, and the legendary fourth-generation electrician Dian Ci caused a citywide blackout by tinkering with electrical machinery.

Xiao Juer isn’t as obsessed with mechanical tech as those experts, but she still has considerable expertise in machine modification—though her modifications always lean toward “entertainment” and “display.”

“This is...”

Xiao Juer stared skeptically at the machine in her hands; honestly, Guang Tai’s speed in building machines exceeded her imagination—she hadn’t even seen how it happened, yet a pile of parts had already assembled into a fully functional mechanical device!

“Huh? Is this a Viewfinder? Strange—what is it meant to look at?”

Xiao Juer put the device on her head and scanned around; it seemed different from ordinary Viewfinders—even when looking at people, nothing changed, only the screen turned slightly bluer?

【Item: Silver Viewfinder (Special Edition)!】

【Description: One of the pinnacles of science, it reveals mystical forces invisible to the naked eye—including Ghosts, Psychic energy, Wave energy, and various special energies—and can also detect hidden people behind smoke screens. A remarkably convenient yet peculiar multi-functional item!】

Guang Tai: “Have you heard of the Silver Viewfinder?”

“This is a special tool I replicated from the original. I thought it might come in handy during upcoming work—I don’t really need it myself, but it’s not just for seeing Ghosts.”

“Huh?! What did you just say? See Ghosts?”

Xiao Juer was startled and quickly looked around.

She saw nothing but humans—only Zi Yu blinked at her with cute, confused eyes.

“Phew.”

Xiao Juer quickly took the device off her face and handed it to Zi Yu, who stared at it curiously.

Zi Yu turned the device over and over in her hands.

“See Ghosts? Really?”

“Of course—not just Ghosts,” Guang Tai explained in detail. “You can also detect hidden Psychic users, Wave Warriors, truths concealed behind smoke screens—in short, it’s a device specifically designed for mystical abilities.”

“It seems Silver Company never released this item on the market.”

Silver Company in Kanto actually has a touch of Green Skin DNA in its origins.

Not to mention that Viewfinders never appeared in later generations, and Master Balls—such blatant glitches—clearly indicate restrictions imposed on other regions, making Silver’s technology seem oddly inconsistent.

Others’ tech advances toward realism; Silver’s tech is tinged with mysticism, yet uses science to solve mysticism—it’s fascinating, all based on “I think science can fix this,” then they build a gadget to do it.

It makes sense that Team Rocket invaded Silver Company—Green Skins naturally attract each other, and the losers become spirit servants.

Besides, making your own Silver Viewfinder isn’t hard—if you have enough parts and instruments and understand the craft, it’s entirely possible. After all, in the Special Episodes, the Silver Viewfinder wasn’t made by Silver Company.

It was crafted by Blue, who then sold the patent to Silver Company.

Early Blue handcrafted all sorts of items—she was much like me, firmly in the Green Skin camp.

Guang Tai: “I made two Viewfinders—if you need them, feel free to use them. No wonder it’s Xiao Juer’s Lei Wen Gym—every instrument and machine part is perfectly stocked!”

“No, I hope we never have to use it. You saying that makes me feel a chill around me,” Xiao Juer shook her head, but Zi Yu looked excited.

Supernatural phenomena—seeing Ghosts!

“And this one.”

【Item: Metronome.】

【Description: A device crafted using musical knowledge, originally a type of beat instrument. When carried, the power of repeated moves increases. When a different move is used, power returns to normal.】

【Effect: If a Pokémon carrying this item uses the same move repeatedly, its power increases by 20% per repetition, up to a maximum of 200%!】

The Metronome’s manufacturing process is far simpler than the Viewfinder’s, so Guang Tai made several extra copies and gave them to Xiao Juer and Zi Yu as “parting gifts,” in thanks for their help.

Xiao Juer: “Battle items? I’m very interested in this one.”

Compared to Ghosts, battles are far more appealing!

Besides, Xiao Juer loves having her Electabuzz use Charge Beam—so if it carries the Metronome, not only will its speed increase, but its power will too!

Now challengers are in serious trouble!

And the final item Guang Tai made—only one—was...

【Item: High-Tech Light Cannon (Handheld Version).】

【Description: A powerful technological artifact originally meant for a Pokémon, crafted with the aid of the Hero’s mechanical insights. Requires the professional skill “Mechanic”—though why it’s tied to the Hero may be a matter for the future.】

【Though you lack the Mechanic skill, knowledge gathered from various mechanical experts is more than enough to build this item! Insert different cartridges to change the cannon’s type. The only cartridge you’ve crafted so far is “Electric”!】

【Effect: Fires a light beam at the opponent. Its type changes depending on the inserted cartridge. Due to energy constraints, the handheld cannon can only fire five times before needing to recharge.】

【Note: To handle potentially dire situations, specialized weapons are essential. If you encounter underground groups like Pokémon Hunters, you’ll need formidable firepower to stand against them! Visiting Lab P2 may allow further modifications and grant additional mechanical knowledge.】

Psychic power is strong. Spiritual power is useful.

But at a critical moment, firing a shot is faster than either—that’s American Iaido.

Lab P2 is one of the locations previously hinted at for acquiring mechanical knowledge—it was originally Akroma’s research facility.

“Eh? A weapon that uses Pokémon moves? Looks dangerously powerful—but in the black market, it’s necessary; only through the black market can you enter White Forest.”

Xiao Juer knew Guang Tai was determined to leave, but she’d gained something valuable—he’d redesigned a new outfit for her during his spare time. As for making it... she’d leave that to Ya Ti!

This isn’t a copy—it’s the first-ever original creation. Ya Ti’s interest would surely soar—even if he’d never been uninterested to begin with.

【Design: EX·Seasonal Set·Flowing Nova!】

Hmm... this design feels strangely perfect for me. Why do I feel this odd sense of alignment?

Xiao Juer could only attribute it to “adaptability”?

“Guang Tai brother, earlier I heard the Metro Control Officer invited you to challenge the Battle Subway. If you get the chance, let’s challenge it together next time!”

Zi Yu said mysteriously:

“I heard that after the Super Train reaches its final stop, there’s a special mode that allows infinite challenges—and the final destination is Jin Lun Town, where challengers receive a Legendary Berry! Supposedly, whoever gets that berry becomes extremely happy!”

“Though Jin Lun Town can be reached normally without the challenge, arriving via the Super Train would be far more thrilling!”

“I’ll keep training and grow stronger! I know we won the Double Train battle thanks entirely to Mr. N, so I must work even harder!”

“By the way, how do you plan to reach Qihuan Bridge? Are you really going to fly there? It’s awfully high,” Xiao Juer’s eyes flickered. “The elevator on Qihuan Bridge keeps breaking down. Rumors say there are Ghosts there—could that be why you’re going?”

“I’ve been to Qihuan Bridge many times and never seen any Ghosts. Probably some Ghost-type Pokémon causing trouble.”

Still, after seeing the Viewfinder, Xiao Juer couldn’t be so certain anymore.

“No... I think I have some idea about Qihuan Bridge’s malfunctions.”

Guang Tai rubbed his chin, choosing his words carefully.

Qihuan Bridge—one of Unova’s five great bridges—is a miracle of engineering, yet its super-elevator constantly malfunctions and requires endless repairs. But these aren’t normal power failures—they’re caused by a Pokémon tampering inside!

Or perhaps not just one—but many!

“Rotom—have you heard of this Pokémon? Has Lei Wen City ever had strange power outages?”

“Now that you mention it,” Xiao Juer recalled, “there were odd power issues before, but they were always fixed quickly. No one could find the cause—even Lei Wen Gym had a few incidents.”

Guang Tai: “Rotom is a Pokémon that sneaks into electrical devices and machines, infusing them with vitality. It uses its ion-based body to infiltrate all kinds of machines, loving to possess them to play pranks and scare people—and it can also serve as a power source for special machinery.”

“The malfunctions at Qihuan Bridge and the abnormal outages in Lei Wen City are probably just Rotom’s pranks. By the way, it’s an electromagnetic spirit form—a dual Electric/Ghost Pokémon!”

“That’s why I left you the Viewfinder.”

“Huh? There’s a Pokémon like that? That sounds so interesting!” Xiao Juer became curious.

Well, if it were just a Ghost, it might be a little scary—but it’s still a Pokémon, so it’s fine. And if it’s Electric-type, its light must outweigh its darkness, especially if it loves pranks—it’s just lively!

At this point, Chi Ri’s diary is still in the hands of Wang Wang, and the scientific community has almost no research on Rotom.

Rotom was named by Chi Ri.

Even regarding Rotom’s origins: the Sinnoh Rotom appeared in the Forest of Spirits, while Unova’s Rotom appears at Qihuan Bridge, and Kalos’s Rotom shows up in an abandoned hotel. Leaving the Kalos case aside, the first two share a common trait—they both have real Ghosts present.

So Rotom is likely a Pokémon that escaped from the Spirit Realm!

After all, there was once a theory that souls are a form of plasma.

Its prototype is probably related to the “strange noisy ghost: Poltergeist phenomenon.”

Also called “mysterious movement,” it’s a supernatural phenomenon where objects suddenly move or sounds appear in empty space.

The scientific hypothesis suggests environmental factors—such as static electricity, electromagnetic fields, infrasound, or underground water flow—could cause abnormal object movement.

Once its existence and traits were recognized, people began artificially cloning Rotom, making the Rotom industry thrive.

It was nearly midnight when Guang Tai departed from Lei Wen, bidding farewell to the two still-curious girls, and passed through the gate into Illusion Forest.

Near Route 16 lies a small town, and Illusion Forest hides within it. Though the forest is actually an illusion created by Sylveon, the underlying terrain is flatland, yet it remains entirely enveloped by forest.

Thus, “Illusion Forest” can refer either to the illusion created by Sylveon or to the entire forest surrounding Lei Wen.

Guang Tai’s sole purpose in entering Illusion Forest was to obtain high-quality wood to craft a “Ukulele.”

This item can attract Electric-type Pokémon—essential whether to drive away or capture Rotom.

When Guang Tai entered Illusion Forest, he immediately sensed watching eyes from deep within.

Theoretically, the Sylveon from the movie appeared near Illusion Forest, was captured, and transported to Sinnoh.

Later, the Sylveon mother and child returned to this forest, created a food cart and a man, disguised themselves as humans, and lived quietly—while the young Sylveon occasionally went to Feiyun City to play as a child.

But the Sylveon appearing in Illusion Forest isn’t just the movie’s mother-child pair.

“Hey! Trainer with a Pokédex! I’m a traveler who loves exploring the world and talking to different people!”

“Did you come here because you heard the forest’s legend? They say Illusion Forest makes people lose their way—if you’re unprepared, you’ll suffer.”

“Want to walk with me? I’ve challenged many forests!”

A backpacker approached Guang Tai, chatting casually and guiding him forward.

But Guang Tai sensed something strange about him—his aura didn’t quite feel human.

“Backpacker... backpacker...” Guang Tai vaguely recalled some lore, then pulled out the Silver Viewfinder.

Even if you thought you wouldn’t need it at first, don’t you need it now?

The backpacker: “Huh? Is that a learning device you’re wearing on your head? Haha, that thing’s for Pokémon, not humans.”

Guang Tai saw through the backpacker’s true form through the inspection lens—his earlier sense of unease was indeed the Solrock’s ability “Illusion!”

The backpacker: “.?”

Guang Tai said nothing, removed the device from his head—it was only to confirm—and then said: “I didn’t come to the Illusion Forest for adventure. I’m just looking for high-quality timber.”

The backpacker before him was a Solrock.

The backpacker Solrock.

In the game, it’s a Solrock that enjoys traveling and disguising itself as a human.

It is an old acquaintance of the Solrock mother and child in the forest, and thinks their secretive, reclusive lifestyle is poor, and finds them too naive.

Now that it appears here, it’s likely speaking with that pair of Solrock mother and child. In the game, it seemed to have known about Wang Guan City for a long time—perhaps it came to issue a warning.

After all, it’s a traveler.

Yet Guang Tai’s strange behavior still stirred some hostility from the backpacker—but as that hostility rose, the blue crystal pendant on Guang Tai’s chest began to glow.

His palm also emitted a faint radiance.

“I’m a psychic, wandering here to find fine timber to craft items. I have important work to do. If you can help me, that would be best—I’ll repay you with what you need. What do you say?”

“By the way, I can’t foresee the future.”

Guang Tai’s words were meant to soothe—saying he can’t foresee the future means he doesn’t know the true identity of the one before him.

But the backpacker sensed something. Yet beneath the glow of the blue crystal and the soft sunlight, it felt no hostility—instead, a warm power gently caressed it.

“.Ah. If you’re looking, I’ll take you there.”

“There’s still plenty of good timber in this forest.”

(End of chapter)